Chapter 423: The Seeker (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 423: The Seeker (2)
After a moment of silence.
[……Are you sure the information isn't wrong?]
The Father of Maggots still couldn't shake his suspicion.
The Divine Blood bowed its head.
[There is no way the information regarding this matter is incorrect.]
[So, you’re telling me that Burnt Vegetation and those Divine Bloods, who went there to kill the Star Eater, suddenly pulled a complete about-face and are now protecting him? Is that really the truth?]
[……It is.]
At that answer, the Father of Maggots unconsciously twitched his mouth.
[Could the Star Eater’s ability be something like hypnosis or brainwashing……?]
[I am not certain, but I suspect that is likely not the case.]
He nodded in agreement.
It was an inference born from trying to figure out why Burnt Vegetation had sided with the Star Eater, but even he knew how ridiculous the thought was.
No matter how much the Star Eater defied expectations, he was ultimately a human—an existence the Divine Bloods merely used as tools.
Yet, Divine Bloods, who existed on a several-fold higher dimension, being hypnotized or brainwashed by such a human?
It made no sense.
[……What on earth is going on?]
The Father of Maggots was lost in confusion for a moment before the subordinate spoke up.
[If I may offer a word, I don’t believe you need to worry all that much.]
The Divine Blood spoke while carefully gauging his reaction.
[And why is that?]
[As you know, there are many Divine Bloods who wish to receive the guidance of the Great One. Even if Burnt Vegetation and his followers protect the Star Eater…….]
[They won't be able to hold out?]
[Yes. As I said, there are many who desire the guidance of the Rotten Mouth. Furthermore—]
[Furthermore?]
[That fellow has made his move.]
[By 'that fellow,' you mean……?]
[The Darkness-Eating Sword.]
As the Divine Blood let out a faint, knowing smile, the Father of Maggots let out an impressed "Hooh."
The Darkness-Eating Sword.
He was a powerhouse who ranked among the top few of the fallen Divine Bloods. Even the Father of Maggots and Burnt Vegetation, who possessed similar levels of martial prowess, preferred to avoid a confrontation with him if possible.
The Darkness-Eating Sword was technically 1st Stage, but he was a Divine Blood who already had one foot in the 2nd Stage.
Because of that.
[If the Darkness-Eating Sword is moving, then there truly is no need to worry.]
[Indeed.]
The Father of Maggots, whose face had been twisted with irritation until a moment ago, now drifted through the air with a satisfied air.
[I can simply wait in leisure. All while diligently gathering the tools I need to ascend to the next stage.]
He flashed a mean, gleeful smile.
* * *
Inside the Mental World, where the Milky Way shone brilliantly.
“You’re saying I can create gods now?”
“Yes!”
Alon was momentarily dazed by Kalanon’s confident reply, but he quickly regained his composure.
“I appreciate you getting straight to the point, but this seems like a bit of a stretch.”
“Ah, was my explanation lacking?”
“Quite a bit.”
At that, Kalanon made a humming sound and continued.
“I thought you’d already have some idea, though?”
“Based on what……?”
“Well, because your divine power has changed.”
“……Did your divine power change as well?”
At Alon’s question, Kalanon wore a somewhat complex expression.
“In my case, to be precise, it’s more accurate to say I just followed along…….”
“Followed me?”
“Of course. In the first place, I’m in a position where I’m affected by you whether I like it or not.”
That was true.
“I’d like you to explain from the beginning if possible. Can you do that?”
“Starting from the part where the divine power changed?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm—alright. I was planning to tell you anyway.”
Kalanon organized her thoughts for a moment and then began to recount the details one by one.
After some time had passed.
“That’s everything I’ve found out so far.”
Having heard Kalanon’s entire story, Alon summarized the contents.
“So, my divine power changed after the Divine Bloods fell to the surface.”
“Mmm—it’s more accurate to say it evolved rather than just changed.”
“Evolved, huh…….”
There were three main points Kalanon had conveyed.
First, Alon’s divine power had changed after the Divine Bloods fell.
Second, the changed power was closer to an ‘evolution’ than a mere ‘alteration.’
And finally—
“I understood most of it…… but the last part is a bit hard to grasp.”
—It was the location of the divine power that had suddenly vanished after the Divine Bloods fell.
“Ah. You mean the location of the divine power—the faith?”
“Yes. What do you mean by saying the divine power is still in my body? I can’t see any divine power even when I check.”
Kalanon had said that Alon’s divine power was still within him.
However, when Alon checked, there was no longer any divine power in his physical form. The only thing he had was the small amount of divine power he had obtained previously when he captured a Divine Blood.
Alon was puzzled.
Kalanon added nonchalantly.
“It’s only natural that you can’t see it. In the first place, your physical body itself is now the vessel containing the divine power.”
“……My body?”
“Yes. That’s why you can’t see it even when you contemplate your inner self. The divine power has completely permeated your very flesh and blood.”
“For something like that to be the case, I’ve become completely unable to use divine power.”
“Hmm—that part will require some practice, but you’ll probably be able to use it soon.”
“Because I’m here,” Kalanon added with a proud little cough.
Alon gave a slight nod and soon recalled the first thing she had said.
“So, what was that talk about being able to create gods?”
“Ah, I’ll tell you about that too.”
Kalanon cleared her throat.
“As you know, there’s usually only one way to become a god.”
“By obtaining faith?”
“Exactly. We can become gods by gaining the faith of other humans. Conversely, without the faith of many, one cannot become a god. In other words, to become a god, you need a vast number of people and their belief.”
Alon nodded, yet he felt a sense of doubt. Everything she said was common knowledge.
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“It is. ‘Becoming a god through the belief of many’—that is a truth everyone knows. However, with this evolved divine power, we can now remove one element from that equation.”
“One element?”
“Yes. Specifically—”
Kalanon raised a finger with a meaningful smile and whispered quietly.
“—The phrase ‘many people.’”
It was a statement that left Alon’s eyes wide with shock.
* * *
“……That means.”
“It’s exactly as you understand it. Normally, the faith of many people is required to become a god, but if you believe in someone—”
“They can become a god?”
“Exactly.”
“……Does that even make sense?”
When doubt clouded Alon’s face, Kalanon answered.
“Normally, of course, it’s impossible.”
“Then how?”
“I told you, didn’t I? Your divine power has evolved.”
“……Is it thanks to that?”
Kalanon nodded and spread her hand wide.
Wooooong—!
And with that, something like a planet made of divine power formed above her palm.
“As you know, divine power originally exists in this form, taking on various sizes and shapes depending on people’s belief. And the divine power created this way can only be used by the individual themselves. However—”
Using her right hand, Kalanon tore off a piece of the planet-like faith. A small sphere was formed.
“Our divine power is different.”
“……You’re saying it can be separated at will?”
“Yes. And we can pass this on to others as we please. In other words—”
“We can create gods arbitrarily?”
“Exactly.”
“Then do those who obtain divinity this way become able to use the same abilities as me?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“You already know, don’t you? The power obtained through faith is shaped by belief.”
“To put it simply, what I’m sharing is a ‘seed.’”
Kalanon smiled at Alon’s metaphor.
Then.
“Exactly. Which flower will bloom depends on the individual. And the legion that blooms like that—”
She triumphantly dropped the final truth.
“—Will be a legion of gods that follows only us.”
* * *
The ‘Darkness-Eating Sword’ had crossed over to the United Kingdoms via the coast to kill the Star Eater.
As soon as he stepped onto the shore, he was met by ‘Burnt Vegetation,’ who stood there as if waiting for him.
[Is it Burnt Vegetation?]
A voice that sounded like it was scraping the bottom of the abyss.
Along with it, the hundreds of skulls attached to the Darkness-Eating Sword’s fluttering cloak each emitted a grotesque noise.
[……Darkness-Eating Sword.]
Burnt Vegetation lowly uttered his name.
However, the Darkness-Eating Sword ignored him, appearing lost in thought for a moment.
[I see. Did the Piercing Eye inform you?]
He nodded, having deduced the reason why Burnt Vegetation was here.
Soon, as if no further conversation was necessary, he reached his hand toward his torso, which was shrouded in the abyss.
Creeeeeak—!
A bone-chilling sound rang out.
Then, a bizarre sword emerged from his stomach. It was an ominous blade, its entire surface embedded with the shapes of skulls.
The Darkness-Eating Sword drew it in silence.
[I heard a rumor that you were protecting a mere insect.]
[……He is no mere insect. If you heard the story, you too would want to join the ‘Star Root.’]
[Star Root? You’ve formed a pathetic little club? I see—is that why the Divine Bloods who crossed over before couldn’t even handle a single insect?]
How absurd.
At his short mutter, Burnt Vegetation asked as if trying to persuade him.
[Do you have no intention of listening to the story?]
[I have only two things to say to you.]
However.
[Either stop protecting the insect and get out of my way—]
BOOM—!!
[—Or die before me.]
Without hesitation, the Darkness-Eating Sword swung his blade to one side, momentarily cleaving the sea in two.
[……I suppose there’s no helping it.]
Vegetation took a stance as if he had no choice.
At that moment, two Divine Bloods appeared from behind him.
[……Are these the ones who were acting with you?]
Even in that situation, the Darkness-Eating Sword maintained his arrogance. His momentum didn't falter just because two more Divine Bloods had been added.
[Hmph, a mere two reinforcements. It means nothing.]
Just as the Darkness-Eating Sword let out a blatant sneer.
Thump—!
[?]
Two more Divine Bloods walked out from the thicket.
The enemies had suddenly become five.
[…….]
Yet, he was still not afraid. He was undeniably one of the top three strongest among the Divine Bloods who had fallen.
[……About five of you—]
The moment the Darkness-Eating Sword opened his mouth.
Thump— Thump!
Once again, two more Divine Bloods walked out.
[??]
The enemies had suddenly become seven.
This time, he was momentarily dazed, but the Darkness-Eating Sword soon tensed his entire body, preparing to fight—
Thump—!
—Or rather, he couldn't.
[???]
Before he could even prepare, another two Divine Bloods walked out.
Now there were nine Divine Bloods.
And then, as if on cue, another two Divine Bloods popped out.
Realizing that it was now an 11-on-1 situation, the Darkness-Eating Sword...
[……Ahem.]
[…….]
[About the Star Eater—]
[Is he your friend?]
[……I’ve suddenly developed an interest in him. Could we perhaps have a chat?]
He made the proposal while naturally sliding his sword back into the abyss.
It was the wise conduct of one who knew that even the strongest cannot withstand a gang-up…….